There has been speculation that a Houston Astros employee cheated by taking pictures of the Red Sox dugout during Game 1 of the ALCS, but a source with knowledge of the situation disputes that. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

UPDATED

Could there be a major cheating scandal in MLB’s postseason?

That was the chatter on Tuesday as the American League Championship Series continued, with a report by Metro US that the Houston Astros may have been cheating in Game 1 against the Boston Red Sox given further fuel by Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

Metro US initially reported that MLB had acknowledged a non-credentialed man was near the Red Sox dugout taking pictures with a small camera and “was texting frequently.” The man was removed in the third inning and did not have media credentials, leading Metro US to speculate that the Astros may have been cheating by trying to steal signs or other information.

Passan reported that the Red Sox had been warned a man might try to steal signs after he was seen taking pictures during a division series.

But late on Tuesday, an industry source with knowledge of the situation who is not associated with the Astros but asked to speak anonymously said that while the person in question was connected to the Astros, he was actually trying to ensure that the Red Sox were not the ones cheating.

When the individual previously took photos at games against the Cleveland Indians and the Oakland A's, he was doing what was described as "counterintelligence."

While it may never fully be known if the Astros were indeed cheating, the source who spoke to me said that the overzealous Astros associate was looking to ensure that what had happened last year with the Red Sox did not happen to the Astros as they look to defend their World Series title.

As to whether there will be any further investigation around the incident, in multiple conversations — one of which on Wednesday afternoon with this high-placed industry source — the answer continued to be that the matter was considered resolved.

UPDATE: MLB RELEASES STATEMENT

At 3:30pm ET on Wednesday, Major League Baseball released the following statement supporting this Forbes Sports story:

“Before the Postseason began, a number of Clubs called the Commissioner’s Office about sign stealing and the inappropriate use of video equipment. The concerns expressed related to a number of Clubs, not any one specific Club. In response to these calls, the Commissioner’s Office reinforced the existing rules with all playoff Clubs and undertook proactive measures, including instituting a new prohibition on the use of certain in-stadium cameras, increasing the presence of operations and security personnel from Major League Baseball at all Postseason games and instituting a program of monitoring Club video rooms.

“With respect to both incidents regarding a Houston Astros employee, security identified an issue, addressed it and turned the matter over to the Department of Investigations. A thorough investigation concluded that an Astros employee was monitoring the field to ensure that the opposing Club was not violating any rules. All Clubs remaining in the playoffs have been notified to refrain from these types of efforts and to direct complaints about any in-stadium rules violations to MLB staff for investigation and resolution. We consider the matter closed.”

Maury Brown is the owner of Bizball, LLC, a research and analytics company, as well as a member of the BBWAA. Follow him on Twitter @BizballMaury or on Facebook.